Pair of stilt boots

ABSTRACT

The invention discloses a pair of stilt boots, incrementally vertically adjustable, whereby the operator, by foot movement, can selectively release the spring urged latched foot plates attached to his respective left and right feet, to raise or lower them by selective weight shift and foot pressure control. Each boot mainly comprises a boot housing or latch lug positioner or support providing vertically spaced apart latch means under which a step plate, to which a foot of the operator is attached, may be latched in increments of vertical adjustment.

United States Patent Wesley D. Ballard c/o S. M. Tucker, 1011 North 15th St.; John 11. Stanley, 4512 Timbercrest Lane, both of Waco, Tex. 76705 Appl. No 13,602

Filed Feb. 24, 1970 Patented July 27, 1971 Inventors PAIR OF STlL'l BOOTS 10 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

11.8. C1 182/230, 36/7.5 Int. Cl A431: 7/16, A431) 3/10, F04g1/00 Field 01' Search 182/230; 36/7.5

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,930,363 10/ 1933 Knox 182/230 2,292,074 8/1942 Hawk 1. 182/230 2,747,300 5/1956 Field 36/75 3,343,631 9/1967 Tieri 36/7.5

Primary Examiner-Reinaldo P. Machado Attorney-William E. Ford ABSTRACT: The invention discloses a pair of stilt boots, incrementally vertically adjustable, whereby the operator, by foot movement, can selectively release the spring urged latched foot plates attached to his respective left and right feet, to raise or lower them by selective weight shift and foot pressure control. Each boot mainly comprises a boot housing or latch lug positioner or support providing vertically spaced apart latch means under which a step plate, to which a foot of the operator is attached, may be latched in increments of vertical adjustment.

PATENT EB JUL? 1 an INVEN'I'ORS WESLEY D. BALLARD JOHN H. STALEY ATTORNEY ground plan.

PAIR OF STILT BOOTS The invention relates to a pair of stilt boots, each comprised of a latch support or housing providing vertically, incrementally spaced apart latch means under which a step plate may be latched as yieldably urged upwardly, unlatching and plate elevation change being effected, respectively, by respective foot side twist and operator weight shift above respective step plates.

It is a primary object of the invention to provide a pair of stilt boots for an operator to stand thereabove to work at selectively desired elevations, where work progress be'st requires incremental adjustments in operator elevation, such adjustments being effected simply by selective foot side twist and then applied weight control followed by opposite foot side twist to relatch.

It is another object of the invention to provide a pair of stilt boots of the class described, with parts for both boots being of identical construction, only the yieldably urging means being required to be left and rights.

It is also a further object of the invention to provide a pair of stilt boots of the class described which permit the operator thereon to make adjustments in his operational elevations, simply by selective foot side twist, then controlled weight application or shift, followed by foot counter side twist.

It is an additional object of the invention to provide a pair of stilt boots of the class described, whereby an operator wearing them may move his position toward or away from his work, his feet remaining connected to the step plates of the respective boots, whereby he may walk withthem to desired positions in It is also a primary object of the invention to provide a method of an operator adjusting his working positions in increments of elevation as he stands upon the means therefor, simply by selective foot side twist, with controlled weight application, followedby foot counter side twist.

It is yet another important object of the invention to provide a method of an operator adjusting his working positions in increments, or in substantial steps in elevation, while'rnounted on the adjustment means on which the operator may continue to remain mounted for walking to other locations in ground plan.

Other and further objects will be apparent when the specification hereinbelow is considered with relation to the drawings, in which:

FIG. I is a small scale, isometric view, showing a pair of stilt boots embodying the invention in use by an operator, as a painter;

FIG. 2 is a development view of the constituent elements of a stilt boot, to be assembled for right boot usage;

FIG. 3 is a sectional plan view taken through a stilt boot asto the boots l and wall 12, by foot manipulation, as will be sembled for right boot usage, with the step plate having been manipulated by right foot clockwise side twist, into unlatched position;

FIG. 4 is a sectional plan view taken through a stilt boot assembled for left boot usage, with the step plate previously hav' ing been manipulated by left foot clockwise side twist and spring torsion, into latched position; and

FIG. 5 is a sectional elevational view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4, showing details of construction through the stilt boot assembled for left boot usage.

Referring now in detail to the drawings in which like reference numerals are applied to like elements in the various views, a pair of stilt boot 10 is shown in FIG. 1 with an operator 11 standing thereon, left leg above left boot 10a, and right leg above right boot 10b. The boots have been placed at close predetermined location with relation to a wall 12 whereby the operator 11 can do best work with relation to the wall, as apply paint thereto. As indicated by relative elevation of the operator 1 1, indicated in FIG. 1, he has previously been working at a higher elevation best to apply the paint to the uppermost areas of the wall 12. Thus, it may be inferred that he has since adjusted his working elevation downwardly with relation hereinbelow described.

In detail, a right boot 10b is shown in the development view of FIG. 2, comprised of a latching foot step plate 13, latch straps 14a, 14b, a right twist spring 15b a support means or housing 16 for supporting angularly spaced apart, vertical rows of elevationally aligned latch lugs 17a, 17b, 17c, and a base plate 18 providing the floor of the housing 16 and upon which the spring 15b seats about a guide boss 19 centrally disposed upon the upper surface of the base plate 18. The housing I6 seats upon a gasket 30 carried about an upstanding annular boss or rim 21 provided by a spacer box 22 having, in turn, an annular gasket 23 about the peripheral under surface thereof.

A hasp 24 is shown provided to extend from the central front edge of the housing base plate 18, with a latch 25 pivotally mounted on bracket means 25a which project from the upper central portion of the front side 20a of the spacer box 22. As shown in FIG. 5, an opposite latch 26, which is affixed to upstand from the rear side 20b of the spacer box 22 shown in such view, the upper portion of the latch 26 being recurved to engage in a slot in the housing 16 shown seated on such spacer box 22.

The same plate 13 shown for the right boot 10b, FIGS. 2 and 3, is identical with that shown for the left boot 10b in FIGS. 4 and 5; the plate 13 simply being turned over for employment from right to left. Also the construction of the housing 16 and spacer box 22 is the same for a right boot 10b, FIGS. 2 and 3, and for a left boot 10a, FIGS. 4 and 5. However, the right boot compression spring 15b, FIG. 2, is wound oppositely, as annealed, from the left boot compression spring 15a, FIG. 5, as will be hereinbelow explained. This single difference in the construction of a most essential part thus supports the assignment of reference numerals 10a, 10b, to designate the assemblies termed left boot and right boot, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 4, the step plate 13 is in latched position in the housing 16 of the left boot 10a whereby the toe 13a of the plate 13 is disposed centrally and forwardly in the housing open front 16a, with the release notch 13b (adjacent instep) just to the rear of a latch lug 17a that is immediately above that surface of the plate 13 that is latched thereunder. Also the release notch 13c (opposite instep) in this position is disposed just forward of a latch lug that is immediately above that surface of the plate 13 that is latched thereunder.

A tongue or latch tab 13d may be seen in FIG. 4 projecting rearwardly from the step plate 13 into latched position under a latch lug 13b. Noticeably, the peripheral distance 13a, between release notch 13c (opposite instep) and the latch tab 13d is greater than the peripheral distance 13f, between release notch 13! (adjacent instep) and the latch tab 13d. Noticeably the strap holes 27 indicated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 are symmetrically disposed about a plan center line through the plate 13, FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, and thus these holes 27 result in no right-left change requirement when a plate 13 is changed from use for one hand, to use for another hand. Also, note that the hole 28, FIGS. 2 and 3, that receives the upper end anchor prong 150, FIG. 2, of the right hand spring I5b, is in the proper position, FIGS. 4 and 5, to receive the upper end prong 15d, FIG. 4, of the left hand spring 150.

As shown in FIG. 3, the notch 130, which previously has been forward of the latch lugs 17a, has been moved, by right foot side twist, (clockwise per dotted line arrow), so that the step plate 13, (to which the operators right foot has been strapped for the operator to upstand thereabove), disposes the notch 13c to receive latch lugs 17a therein. Also, by such right foot clockwise side twist, the notch 13b has been disposed to receive latch lugs 17c therein. Also, by such right foot clockwise side twist, the latch tab 13d has been moved from under the respective latch lug 17b, whereby the step plate 13, now in unlatched position, may be permitted to move upwardly by the operator easing pressure of weight applied upon the step plate.

Or conversely the operator may apply weight upon the step plate 13 to urge it downwardly. In any case, with the right step plate 13 unlatched, as the left step plate I3 must remain latched to provide a firm base above the part of the body not being maneuvered, as above described, the right step plate may now be permitted to return, or be returned, to latched position. As the spring 15a below the right step plate I3 has been twisted clockwise in the unlatching of the right step plate 13, if weight is eased up thereover, the spring 15a will extend upwardly in uncoiling with some counterclockwise torsion. Additionally the relatching may be abetted by the right foot applying left (counterclockwise, FIG. 3) side twist. Thus it is obvious that the left side plate 13 has previously been un latched, as for adjustment, by left foot left (counterclockwise) side twist, (dotted line arrow, FIG. 4), and has been relatched by easing of left side weight above the step plate 13, as abetted by torsion of the left spring 150 (clockwise) as weight is eased off thereabove.

In passing it should be noted that the right spring 15!) has lower end anchor prong ISf, FIG. 2, to engage in a hole 28!) in the housing base 18. Also the left spring 150 has lower end anchor prong le, FIG. 5, to engage in a hole 280 in the housing base 18. Obviously, to avoid lefts and rights of the boot housings 16, the base plates 18 thereof may have added correspondingly located holes 28a or 28b, so that there will be a properly located anchor prong hole in each base 18 for whatever boot (left or right) a particular housing may be intended.

A boss 29 is provided to upstage centrally from the base I8, FIG. 5, as a guide about which the spring a is based. Also such a guide boss 29 is shown upstanding above the base 18, FIG. 2, for the spring 15b to guidably upstand therearound.

The stilt boots I0a, 10b are indicated as adapted for a worker, as a paperhanger or painter 11, FIG. I, to work mounted thereon. Also they may have usages as toys, such as exerciser toys, or unique or seasonal toys for children. Particularly, the exercise features to be associated with the boot stilts should be of special attraction.

The specification hereinabove is completed by the drawings associated herewith, and by the appended claims, with the embodiment of the invention thus set forth being by way ofexample, other combinations of structures falling within the broad spirit hereof.

We claim:

I. A pair of elevationally adjustable stilt boots, each comprising a base, latch support means upstanding therefrom, a spring yieldably upstanding adjacent said support means, a

latching foot step plate upon top of said spring, connection means for connecting the foot of an operator on top of said plate, incrementally vertically spaced apart latch means carried by said support means and adapted, selectively, to hold said plate in selectively latched position, whereby upon the application of operator foot pressure downwardly and with side twist, said plate is unlatched for desired change in incremental elevation, with spring torsion entering upon ease upon side plate in return of said plate to latched position.

2. A method of selectively incrementally adjusting the working position of an operator comprising the operator standing upon a pair of steps, each above yieldably, releasably latchable, side twistable means, applying increased foot pressure and foot side twist to release the steps, one after the other into side twisted, released position for elevationally incremental change in elevation, with yieldable counter side twist occurring in achieving step releasably latched, selected position.

3. A pair of elevationally adjustable stilt boots as claimed in claim I in which the springs for the respective boots are fabricated in lofts and rights.

4. A pair of elevationally adjustable stilt boots as claimed in claim I in which the latch means comprise a plurality of angularly spaced apart, elevationally aligned latch lugs at a plurality ofincrementally vertically spaced apart positions.

5. A pair of elevationally adjustable stilt boots as claimed in claim 1 in which said latch support means comprises a houslrl 6. A pair of elevationally adjustable stilt boots as claimed in claim 1 in which each boot additionally includes elcvational spacer means below said base.

7. A pair of elevationally adjustable stilt boots as claimed in claim 1 in which said connection means for connecting the foot of an operator on top of said plate comprises foot strap means.

8. A pair of elevationally adjustable stilt boots as claimed in claim 1 in which said latch support means provide an open front before said spring, step plate and latch means.

9. A pair of elevationally adjustable stilt boots as claimed in claim 1 in which said spring provides an upper and lower anchor prong, and in which said step plate and said base, respectively, provide hole to receive said anchor prongs therein.

10. A method as claimed in claim 2 in which yieldable counter side twist may abet said spring torsion in returning said plate to latched position. 

1. A pair of elevationally adjustable stilt boots, each comprising a base, latch support means upstanding therefrom, a spring yieldably upstanding adjacent said support means, a latching foot step plate upon top of said spring, connection means for connecting the foot of an operator on top of said plate, incrementally vertically spaced apart latch means carried by said support means and adapted, selectively, to hold said plate in selectively latched position, whereby upon the application of operator foot pressure downwardly and with side twist, said plate is unlatched for desired change in incremental elevation, with spring torsion entering upon ease upon side plate in return of said plate to latched position.
 2. A method of selectively incrementally adjusting the working position of an operator comprising the operator standing upon a pair of steps, each above yieldably, releasably latchable, side twistable means, applying increased foot pressure and foot side twist to release the steps, one after the other into side twisted, released position for elevationally incremental change in elevation, with yieldable counter side twist occurring in achieving step releasably latched, selected position.
 3. A pair of elevationally adjustable stilt boots as claimed in claim 1 in which the springs for the respective boots are fabricated in lefts and rights.
 4. A pair of elevationally adjustable stilt boots as claimed in claim 1 in which the latch means comprise a plurality of angularly spaced apart, elevationally aligned latch lugs at a plurality of incrementally vertically spaced apart positions.
 5. A pair of elevationally adjustable stilt boots as claimed in claim 1 in which said latch support means comprises a housing.
 6. A pair of elevationally adjustable stilt boots as claimed in claim 1 in which each boot additionally includes elevational spacer means below said base.
 7. A pair of elevationally adjustable stilt boots as claimed in claim 1 in which said connection means for connecting the foot of an operator on top of said plate comprises foot strap means.
 8. A pair of elevationally adjustable stilt boots as claimed in claim 1 in which said latch support means provide an open front before said spring, step plate and latch means.
 9. A pair of elevationally adjustable stilt boots as claimed in claim 1 in which said spring provides an upper and lower anchor prong, and in which said step plate and said base, respectively, provide hole to receive said anchor prongs therein.
 10. A method as claimed in claim 2 in which yieldable counter side twist may abet said spring torsion in returning said plate to latched position. 